I, along with many Columbia University students and alumni, found the grading during the pandemic semesters (Fall-2021-Spring 2022) grossly unfair. These challenging times, characterized by a swift transition to online learning, have caused unprecedented disruptions to every aspect of our academic lives, unjustly impacting our grades as a result.

Online courses have turned out to be demanding in multiple ways. The struggles of juggling personal issues caused by the pandemic, tech difficulties, changes in study environments, and the challenges of remoteness combined with intense curriculum further exacerbated students' stress levels. It's no surprise that it has been tough for many of us to maintain our usual academic performance despite these extraordinary circumstances.

As many American students had to switch to remote learning due to COVID-19, we believe that a renowned institution like Columbia University should be at the forefront in implementing policies reflecting these challenges that students nationwide are wrestling with.

We are asking Columbia University to create a policy that allows students and alumni to retroactively request a grade change (Drop, Withdraw, P/D/F, R, etc.) for all courses taken in COVID-impacted semesters (Fall-2021-Spring 2022) as was done in Spring 2020. This policy would not only rectify the unfair grading of those semesters, but it would also reflect the empathy and flexibility required in dealing with unprecedented global circumstances.

Please join us in asking for outright fairness and understanding the unique impacts this pandemic has had on students' academics. Sign this petition to urge Columbia University to permit retroactive grade changes for semesters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.